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"Gzezarvich?"
Razputin was in the middle of getting ready for bed when he heard William's voice. "Shepard Byron." He nodded in greeting, finishing pulling his nightshirt down as he spoke. "Why would you like to see me?" He asks, looking up at him with confusion. He usually doesn't come in; he can feel his heart sinking. Has he done something wrong? He swallows down whatever anxieties are coming up. It's just William.
"I was just wondering if you'd like your hair brushed tonight." William's voice is saccharine and smooth, lulling him down ever so slightly. "Yes, but-" He thinks for a moment. "Where's Mi-" He huffs, correcting himself. "Clara. Where's Clara? She's the one who brushes my hair, typically." He asks. "Clara is unavailable," William says simply. "I'm sure you'd prefer to have someone you're closer to to brush it, anyway. Now, sit down, lamb."
Razputin sat down as he was told, and William sat down behind him. Taking off his gloves, hairbrush in his hand. He began to run the brush through the other's red hair, tugging away any knots that appeared throughout the day. "How have you been feeling, prince?" He queried, running his fingers through along with the brush. It felt rough, like pulling, not like Clara's gentle strokes. But he didn't say a word about it. He needed to work through pain. Instead, he said, "It was… Nice. Dinner was tasty." He noted. There wasn't much to do here, anyway. Not many things of note besides sermons and training.
"Yes, the people work very hard to make you delicious meals. You must be grateful for it." William assures, hand tugging at his hair. "I am. I am grateful towards them; their work is difficult." Razputin repeats, as he has before. Gratitude was important; everyone in the commune took care of a role, and they all did it well. "You're grateful towards the Ewes as well? They spend so much time helping care for us, you must agree they need gratitude as well." He asks. Razputin nods. "Of course, I am grateful." He says, "They spend their lives serving our cause." William's smile widens. "And the Rams? They've dedicated themselves to preaching, to bringing our goddesses, your grandmother's, work to fruition. Are you grateful for them?" He asks, brushing a bit more forcefully. Razputin can feel his heartbeat pick up. "O-Of course, I'm grateful. They've guided me and helped me become the best leader I can be."
Williams' brushing stops. His head moves over to Razputin's side, letting himself be seen out of the corner of his eye. "And you're grateful for me, of course?" He asks. Razputin can feel his breath on his neck as he speaks, making the hairs on his back stand at attention. His voice is a dangerous, sweet tone. One that says his answer will choose whether he sleeps in his bed or in the basement. "I am eternally grateful towards you, Advisor." He answers, doing his best to keep his voice steady despite his drying mouth.
"And why, may I ask you, are you grateful?" William asks, and Razputin can see his smile getting ever wider. Razputin gulps. "Because… You raised me, and have taken care of me ever since you found me at the circus." He says, carefully. But his advisor seems pleased. "Go on." He goads. "You… saw my divine light, and saved me from a life of poverty. And… you adopted me when I was orphaned, when my family was killed by those traitors in Grulovia." He continues, doing his best to recount based on the fuzzy memories. "You… you raised me to be strong, and after the Malik's prince broke my mind in our battle, you nursed me back to health. You have been on my side forever, and that is why I am eternally grateful." He concludes, looking over at William's face nervously.
William starts brushing again, and Razputin lets out a sigh of relief. "Of course, of course. I knew you would say so, little lamb." Razputin can hear the smile in William's voice as he speaks. "And, of course, you will never stray too far from the flock, correct?" He asks. "Of course," Razputin replies. "Because the sheep that strays too far from the flock will only meet the teeth of the wolves." A repeat from one of William's own sermons. William unclips the device from his head, carefully moving it to the side to unmat that spot. "I was worried you weren't listening." Razputin shakes his head slightly. "Of course, I was listening. I need to lead my people by example, after all."
The device is clipped back into his hair, and William stops brushing. "There we go, doesn't that feel better?" He asks. Razputin nods. "Much better, thank you, Advisor." He stands up, and William stands up as well. "I've already brushed my teeth, so I am going to go to bed, alright?" He says, turning away. William stops him, pressing his hand against his shoulder. "Ah, ah. Aren't you forgetting something?" He asks, pressing his thumb against the other's neck. Razputin can feel his stomach drop. What did he forget? Cold sweat beads on his forehead. "I… didn't think I was. B-but correct me if I'm mistaken, Advisor."
"Your tea, of course. You can't sleep without your special tea, remember? You seem wide awake, so it doesn't look like you've drunk it." His voice is soft as he rubs circles into Razputin's neck. Right, the tea. Warm, slightly herbal water that made him feel sleepy as soon as he finished the cup. How could he forget? "M-my apologies, Advisor-" William presses a finger to his lips before he can continue. "Don't apologize, little lamb. You know your memories still aren't a hundred percent. Don't be so harsh on yourself if you can't remember something."
Razputin nodded. William, finally, let go of his neck, and Razputin felt like he could breathe again. "Now, you can go sit down in bed. I'll find a servant to prepare it." He says as he moves away. "I'll have Lucille keep an eye on you while I'm gone." Razputin nods, doing as he was told. Putting himself under the covers. They're thick and warm, always nice to return to after a long day of boring meetings and sermons. A few moments after the Advisor left, his cat walked in. Lucille hopped onto a nearby closet, nodding a greeting before settling into her spot.
Razputin didn't do much, just stared at the ceiling while willing William to return. That cat was a snitch, so he had to be careful about how he acted around her. He sighed heavily. William could be so, so nice when Razputin was good. And he was! He was incredibly kind, taking him in as he did. But Razputin knew that harsher side when he was being punished. And it was hard not to worry about what would happen if he slipped up. A prince is supposed to be perfect. And it's hard to learn if there aren't any consequences, after all. It doesn't mean it stings any less, but it at least assures him that it's important for his growth. But he had to be grateful for all William did, every single piece of his care.
William walked back into the room, a teacup in hand. "Here you are. Drink it while it's hot, little lamb." He does as told, the hot liquid still burning his tongue slightly even after he blows on it. "It's delicious." He says. "Of course." Williams's hands rest on Razputin's shoulder again, rubbing circles into his collarbone this time. It protruded, a bit noticeably, away from his body. "We really should try to get a bit more food in you, Little lamb. You're getting thin."
Razputin doesn't reply, simply nodding along as the tea starts to take its hold. His mind becomes fuzzy as he begins to fall down, taking frequent sips to make the process go faster. He only jolts a bit, this time, when William presses on a fresh bruise. William retracts his hand for a moment, muttering an apology before moving his hand closer to his neck.
"You've grown very well, Gzezarvich. You'll be ready to take your place as a leader soon enough." He presses his thumb to Razputin's throat, making him shudder. "You'll be ready to take on her power." Razputin only half-listens, eyelids becoming heavy along with the rest of his body. He's already halfway through the cup, his mind already feeling like a giant cloud of cotton instead of an actual brain. William's hand moves to his cheek as his smile widens. "I will be right there to oversee it, Lamb. And I am ecstatic that I'll be able to witness your ascension."
Razputin nods along, and William presses the teacup to his lips again. "Drink, drink. A prince like yourself needs to get eight hours of sleep." Razputin can barely move, his body so heavy. He does his best to move his hand up, but he struggles. "Just relax. Let yourself fall into slumber, and it'll all be alright."
Finally, the cup is empty, and he lets himself sink into the pillow. His eyes, just barely open, blur more than ever as he falls into slumber. He can feel William easing him down, pulling the duvet over his body. "Goodnight, prince." That's the last thing he hears before his eyes close, and everything, finally, stops.